SNAPSHOT

The best shotmaker in the 2025 NBA Draft Class, Bailey's potential is undeniable, and he is every chance to be selected inside the top three in June given his masterful ability to find the bottom of the net from seemingly every position.

Although there are areas of his game that need polishing if he is to translate his talents fully to the top level, his ridiculous scoring ability make him the best scorer in the draft crop, and if he can convert this to NBA, a strong career looms.

DRAFT PROFILE

Bailey grew up in Tennessee and made a name for himself by proving dominant in high school basketball, putting up some ridiculous numbers to emerge as a consensus five-star recruit and being selected to compete in the McDonald's All-American game along with his fellow draft hopefuls.

He joined fellow top three fancy Dylan Harper at the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, despite offers from a plethora of strong programs around the country. He even signed a letter of intent in the early signing period to further his commitment to the school.

During his time with the Scarlet Knights, Bailey was able to showcase just how strong of a scorer he can be, making some of the most ridiculous shots in the NCAA and seeming unbothered by not only the defence, but also the pressure that comes with his talent.

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 46 per cent from the field, 34.6 per cent from three-point land and 69.2 per cent from the charity stripe.

At six-foot-10 with a magnificent jump shot, Bailey was able to show scouts why he deserves to be a top-three selection, and was extremely impressive for Rutgers despite the team falling short of the National Tournament. His ability to knock down tough shots was still a huge weapon for the Scarlet Knights, and the side that drafts him will be hopeful the same turns true.

STRENGTHS

• Shooting off the dribble
• Excellent touch
• Confidence in shot
• High motor

IMPROVEMENTS

• Shot selection
• Loose handle

In terms of Bailey's biggest strengths, his pull-up jumper is the best in the draft class, making him an elite midrange threat, which is an art form that is slowly dying at the top level, although the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard are keeping it alive, but Bailey will be deadly from inside the arc if he converts his game to the top level.

Whether it is pulling up in transition, stopping on a dime and pivoting into a turnaround jumper or nailing fadeaway shots from the post, Bailey is simply a scoring threat at all times, and is a seriously tough defensive assignment due to the enormous array of shits he can nail.

He has tremendous touch both around the rim and from range, with a high and quick release motion not giving the defence the opportunity to contest the shot. Although for some players this results in shot attempts that have a bit too much, Bailey has a soft touch that arcs the shot perfectly.

There are few players with more confidence in their own scoring ability than Bailey, who knows just how capable he is of finding the bottom of the net, and uses it to his advantage, showing the tendency to take over games with his offensive arsenal, and has matchwinner written all over him.

Although his scoring impact is his biggest strength, Bailey is prone to getting tunnel vision with ball in hand, and he can take some unwise shots from the field, despite an innate ability to nail contested jumpers. At NBA, he will need to be a bit smarter with his shot selection, especially if selected by a team with proven stars.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Top Four

Bailey's potential should see him a top three selection, although the Sixers would be tossing up between him and VJ Edgecombe. Regardless, there is no better scorer in the 2025 NBA Draft class, and if Bailey can have the same scoring impact when he reaches the top level, All-Star appearances seem a fair prediction.